Comparison of aerobic exercise and cupping methods on serum levels of fibrinogen, LDL and HDL as cardiovascular disease factors in postmenopausal women

Menopause is a clinically significant period of time characterized by changes in ovarian hormone, vasomotor symptoms, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). One of the main causes of heart attacks is changes and imbalance of the homeostasis system. Sedentary lifestyle and aging also have adverse effects on the homeostasis system. One of the treatment methods that has been used for many years in the treatment of many diseases is Iranian-Islamic medicine. Therefore, in this study, the effect of cupping and aerobic exercise on LDL, HDL and fibrinogen was investigated

A total of 30 inactive postmenopausal women with an age range of 50 to 65 participated in this quasi-experimental study. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic exercise, cupping therapy, and control group. Aerobic exercises with an intensity of 50 to 75% of heart rate reserve were performed three times a week for 6 weeks and the cupping group was cupped in the third week. Blood samples were taken to measure fibrinogen, LDL, and HDL before the start of the training period and 48 hours after the end of the last training session. Then, an analysis of covariance was used for intergroup comparisons. Also, the pre- and post-test were analyzed using paired t-test at a significance level of <0.05.

Aerobic exercise and cupping showed a significant decrease in fibrinogen (P = 0.04) and LDL (P = 0.001) and an increase in LDH (P = 0.003). Paired t-test results showed a significant decrease in fibrinogen, LDL and HDL post-test compared to pre-intervention post-test.

Cupping therapy and aerobic physical activity are effective factors in reducing the levels of fibrinogen and LDL and increasing HDL in postmenopausal women. According to the results, exercise may have better effects on decreasing fibrinogen and blood lipids, as the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis, compared to cupping therapy.